"Not everyone loves it, and it was difficult to watch, but [Precious] boasts some of the best performances you'll see on screen in 2009," our critic tells UsMagazine.com. "That final showdown scene with Mo'Nique and Mariah Carey in the social worker's office was maybe the best scene of the year in my book." (Watch a clip above.)

Facing off against Precious is the critically acclaimed Up in the Air, starring George Clooney and Vera Farmiga. Jacobs enthuses the new release is extremely timely and very unpredictable.

"Up in the Air is my favorite movie of the year -- and I've seen it twice! The second time I saw it, I saw it with a totally different pair of eyes," Jacobs admits of the flick, which features Clooney as a corporate downsizer living his life out of a suitcase.

Jacobs projects the animated Up -- nominated for a Best Animated Feature Film Globe -- to do well this awards season.

"One of the best times I had at the movies [in 2009] was seeing Up," Jacobs tells Us. "Despite it being a cartoon, it says a lot about life, and it's kind of a tear-jerker. The first five minutes alone are Oscar-worthy."